They Know it's Better to Give Than Receive

The holidays are all about tradition. For Kim Taylor and her two sisters, that means serving about 200 free turkey dinners with all the fixings to people in need on Christmas Day at the South Attleboro Knights of Columbus Hall, as her father did with Jack Hagopian starting in 1984.

For the 27th consecutive year, the Ed Tedesco Memorial Free Christmas Dinner, catered as always by Russell Morin Fine Catering, will make sure those in Attleboro and North Attleboro and Central Falls, Cumberland and Pawtucket, Rhode Island remember Christmas in a good way.

"It's what my parents always did," said Taylor, who has organized the event with her sisters and fellow graduates Lori Carroll and Sherri Morin since their father died in 2003. "I'm glad we're able to still do it.

"I am extremely fortunate that I was brought up by two very caring and dedicated parents. They showed their compassion through selfless action, not expecting anything in return. I try to live by their example," Taylor said, choked with emotion.

Dinner begins at about 12:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, but the doors of the hall at 304 Highland Ave. will open around 11 a.m. Attendees will be treated to cheese and crackers, fruit, salad, the turkey dinner, desserts, and of course, presents.

All guests will leave with gloves, hats, and scarves courtesy of the with children taking home new toys. Students from Bishop Feehan, and North Attleboro High Schools raised money for the event during athletic events through the One Fan initiative.

Free bus transportation, courtesy of Bloom Bus Company, begins at 11 a.m. at the Attleboro Bus Station, with stops at the senior center complexes in all five communities, as well as the Pleasant Street Rest Home in Attleboro, downtown North Attleboro, Notre Dame Church in Central Falls and Our Lady of Consolation Church in Central Falls.

If you can't take the bus, but still want to attend, call 508-761-6622 through Friday and 508-399-7705 on Christmas Day. If you can't make the dinner, but need a Christmas dinner delivered to you, call 508-399-5357 through Friday and 508-399-7705 on Christmas Day.

Volunteers are always welcome, Taylor said, especially those who are willing to drive meals to those who can't attend but would otherwise go hungry. She praised all of those who are involved every year, and said she looks forward to seeing familiar faces. The attendance fluctuates slightly every year, with more families attending in recent years, possibly because of the economic downturn, Taylor said.

"It's a lot of the same people every year," she said. "That's their Christmas."